My water well : what you should know about water well construction

What You Should Know About
Water Well Construction
MY
WATER
WELL
Publication No. 143
July 1999
Planning and Management Division
OKLAHOMA WATER RESOURCES BOARD
Lonnie L. Farmer, Chairman
Richard C. Sevenoaks, Vice Chairman
Grady Grandstaff, Secretary
Richard McDonald
Bill Secrest
Dick Seybolt
Ervin Mitchell
Wendell Thomasson
Harry Currie
Duane A. Smith, Executive Director
Michael R. Melton, Assistant to the Director
Mike Mathis, Chief, Planning and Management Division
Terri G. Sparks, Planning Section Head
Gary Glover, D/PC Program Administrator
Brian Vance, Writer/Editor
James Leewright, Graphic Arts
Table of Contents
Why the Oklahoma Water Resources Board s Water Well Driller
& Pump Contractor Licensing Program Is Important to You ..............................5
Program Overview ........................................................................................5
What You Should Know About Constructing Your Water Well ..........................7
Before You Construct ...................................................................................7
Preliminary Planning and Investigation ....................................................7
Establishing the Well Site .......................................................................8
Selecting a Qualified, Licensed Water Well Driller ...................................8
Information to Provide the Licensed Driller ...............................................8
Information to Request from the Licensed Contractor ..............................9
At Construction Time ................................................................................. 10
Selecting the Construction Type............................................................ 10
Make Your Water Well the Best it Can Be ..................................................... 11
Considering Optional Well Construction Methods ...................................... 12
Disinfecting Your Water Well ..................................................................... 13
Be a Responsible Well Owner ....................................................................... 14
Practicing Wellhead Protection .................................................................. 14
Plugging Abandoned Wells ........................................................................ 15
Map of Major Alluvial and Terrace Aquifers in Oklahoma ................................. 16
Map of Major Bedrock Aquifers in Oklahoma .................................................. 17
Typical Residential Water Supply Well ........................................................... 18
For More Information ...................................................................................... 19
5
Why
Program Overview
Currently, some 15 million homes in the United States utilize private wells. To
ensure the integrity of water well construction, prevent potential pollution of
state groundwaters and ensure safety, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
supervises a licensing program of pump installers and drillers of water,
geothermal, observation and monitoring wells. The Water Well Driller/Pump
Contractor Licensing Program has certified approximately 1,100 drillers
and pump contractors and/or operators.
The geology and groundwaters of Oklahoma are so varied
that a single set of federal, state or local regulations is
inadequate to protect state waters and ensure safety. To
address this problem, the OWRB spearheaded creation of a
committee consisting of licensed water well drillers and
pump installers to formulate fair and comprehensive well
construction guidelines. Through direct public input, the D/PC Well Drillers
Committee has developed a set of minimum standards that encompass all
types of competent well construction and water well pump installation, including
a variance procedure to address specialized problems. Standards for domestic
drilling were ratified as state law in 1982, for pump installation in 1990.
Because our groundwaters are so valuable...
Oklahoma is underlain by 23 major groundwater basins containing an estimated
320 million acre-feet of water in storage, perhaps half of which is recoverable for
beneficial use. Many of the minor basins may also yield significant amounts of
fresh water. Water wells and springs supply more than 60 percent of the total
water use, including almost 90 percent of the state s irrigation needs, and
provide municipal water to more than 300 Oklahoma cities and towns.
Unfortunately, groundwater supplies are often at risk due to poorly constructed
and/or abandoned wells which often provide a conduit for poor-quality water or
contaminants to reach subsurface formations and groundwater supplies. The
Board s well driller/pump contractor licensing effort is a coordinated strategy by
the state to protect our vital groundwater resources. OWRB hydrologists and
Why the Water Well Driller and
Pump Contractor Licensing
Program Is Important to You
does Oklahoma need water well licensing
requirements and construction
6
does the state cope with the substantial
expense of remediating inadequate or
abandoned wells?
How
is responsible for plugging and ensuring
the safety of abandoned water wells?
Who
are other benefits
of the program? What
geologists routinely conduct site inspections to investigate and, if necessary,
coordinate restoration of poorly constructed wells or plug abandoned wells.
and to ensure the safety of our citizens...
Old water wells, regardless of their size or location, pose a tremendous
threat to Oklahomans. Often overgrown by weeds and brush, these open
holes can pose extremely dangerous hazards to both animals and humans,
especially children.
Through the Well Drillers/Pump Installers
Indemnity Fund...
To help correct occasional problems related to improper or
inadequate well construction and pump installation, the
Oklahoma State Legislature created the Well Drillers/Pump
Installers Indemnity Fund in 1990. The Fund, supplemented
by administrative fines assessed to program violators,
provides a mechanism for the OWRB to ensure the remediation of potentially
dangerous and environmentally hazardous well sites constructed since 1990.
The landowner...
Once drilling equipment is removed from the drilling site, the responsibility for
properly plugging an abandoned well, monitoring well or geotechnical boring lies
with the owner of the land on which the well is located.
Information sharing...
To support the program, the Board maintains a
database of more than 35,000 water well logs, or
completion reports, submitted by licensed commercial
drillers and pluggers of groundwater wells and test
holes, monitoring wells, observation wells and heat
exchange wells. Upon request, OWRB staff can query
the water well log database and provide a list of wells in
7
If the well is to be used for any purpose
other than domestic use as defined by OWRB
rule, the landowner must file a groundwater use
permit with the OWRB before the contractor can
complete any work (other than test drilling).
a particular area, including information on completion date, depth and
details concerning geology of the area.
Completion reports are often requested by landowners who want to know
more about subsurface geologic conditions on their property or particular
details about their water well construction. This information is also of
interest to geologists and various researchers.
and education...
As part of the program s education component, the OWRB
conducts periodic workshops to provide updates on new
program rules, technological advancements and related
issues of interest to the state s well drillers and pump
installers. Agency staff also routinely visit licensed drilling
firms to answer questions related to the program and explain
new or existing rules and regulations.
What You Should Know About
Constructing Your Water Well
Before You Construct...
Preliminary Planning and Investigation
To estimate the approximate depth and yield of the well,
call the OWRB to obtain information on existing wells in
your area. Supply the Board with the legal description
(section, township and range, legal descriptions) of the
property you are researching.
Obtain a copy of OWRB regulations for minimum well construction
standards.
8
!
!
Ask adjacent property owners or others about the specifics of their well, total
depth, approximate yield and water quality. Also, inquire about known water
contamination problems.
Establishing the Well Site
Select a prospective well site at least 50 feet up-gradient, 75 feet on level
ground or 100 feet down-gradient from proposed or existing pollution sources,
including:
S insecticide treated building foundations;
S confined surface water areas;
S septic systems (yours or your neighbors);
S confined animal boarding areas;
S composting areas; and
S concentrated pollutant storage areas.
Avoid flood-prone areas.
Locate the well at least 50 feet from the property
line. If the well is too close to the property line, it
could interfere with septic system installation or
home termite treatment.
Keep underground and overhead utilities in mind. Allow
ample room for drilling rig operation.
Stake the best appropriate location.
Selecting a Qualified, Licensed Water Well Driller
Select several OWRB Licensed Drilling/Pump Contractors. Call each
preliminary contractor with your well specifications and construction details.
Compare construction prices and time frames.
Call the OWRB and Better Business Bureau for information on past
complaints or problems with the selected firm(s).
Information to Provide the Licensed Contractor
Supply the licensed contractor you select with all
information collected from the OWRB and/or neighbors
regarding the proposed well and its exact location (i.e.,
legal description).
Give the contractor a list of any optional specifications
you select.
9
?
?
?
!
!
Supply the contractor with all details concerning access to the drilling site.
Factors to consider include:
S Can a rig physically get on your property?
S Is the property on a steep grade?
S Are there deep creeks or ravines on your property that limit access by
the drilling rig to the proposed well site?
S Is there heavy timber on the property that will require cutting before rig
access can be attained?
S Must fences or gates be removed or cut to allow rig access?
S Have there been any recent, major weather conditions that would limit
access to the site, such as heavy rain events on clay or soft soils?
If you would like for the licensed contractor to select the well location, give
him the locations of all pollution sources, drainage patterns and utilities
(overhead as well as underground). Some contractors will not select potential
well sites for you, but will give you several options.
Give the contractor a list of damages that you would expect his firm to be
responsible for and information on preliminary work required to get the rig on
location.
Information to Request from the Licensed Contractor
Is the contractor licensed and in good standing with the OWRB?
Has the contractor drilled wells in the area before? How many? Has the
contractor encountered any special problems in the area? What are
the nature and expense of any special problems
related to drilling the well?
What are the specifications of the standard well
construction the contractor uses in the area?
What is the per foot price of the contractor s standard
well construction, including all materials and labor?
What guarantees does the contractor s firm make for standard well
construction in the designated area?
If the optional well construction materials and methods specifications you
select exceed the contractor s standard well construction specifications,
what is the price per foot, including all materials and labor?
Ask the contractor if he can construct a well to the specifications you have
listed. Has he constructed a well to those specifications before? Are there
10
? ?
?
any special guarantees his firm will make on that type of construction?
What is the time frame for initiation of the well drilling project? How long will
the project take?
Ask the contractor for special instructions regarding care of the well after
drilling is completed and the well is disinfected.
Request a copy of the multipurpose completion report, which documents all
details of well construction, with the receipt for work performed.
Does the driller have a dry hole charge in case groundwater is not
encountered in the intended location? How much is it?
Who will plug the hole? Who will pay? The OWRB requires all water well test
holes to be plugged according to minimum standards within 3 days.
At Construction Time...
Selecting the Construction Type
Oklahoma s unique and varied geologic conditions are best suited for two general
types of water well construction. The OWRB-licensed water well driller that
you choose will provide assistance in selecting the
appropriate construction method and ensure that your well
is constructed in a manner that ensures maximum
efficiency and a long life-span. They will also take all
necessary steps to prevent potential contamination of the
well and its source groundwater basin.
The most common method, utilizing gravel or filter packs that
provide a medium through which water moves from the formation
into the well casing, can be used in any type of aquifer but is usually drilled into
unconsolidated formations. The well casing keeps the hole open. The second type
of construction, an open hole with surface casing, is generally used in
consolidated aquifers where the hole can stay open without the need for well
casing. The two general methods of construction and their associated
components are discussed in more detail below.
Gravel or filter pack, with well screen or well perforations:
Well casing -- Keeps the hole open in unconsolidated formations, helps seal
off zones of less favorable water and prevents surface water intrusion. In
consolidated formations, the casing also prevents formation material from
sloughing off and locking the submersible pump in the well bore.
11
Cement surface seal -- A cement barrier poured between the outside of the
casing and the inside face of the borehole. Prevents potential contamination
from washing down the annular space (the area between the inside of the
bore hole and the outside of the well casing or surface pipe).
Gravel or filter pack -- A small gravel or coarse sand placed between the well
screen or perforated casing and the inside of the borehole. Filters out the
geologic formation materials and prevents them from entering the screen or
perforated casing.
Well screen or perforated casing -- A piece of factory-slotted or hand-
perforated casing that prevents the filter pack or formation from collapsing
into the borehole while allowing water to enter the well.
Open hole construction with surface casing:
Surface casing -- Casing that is cement grouted in through loose,
unconsolidated surface soils and anchored into the top of the consolidated
aquifer. Prevents the collapse of loose soils at the top of the well and assists
the cement surface seal in preventing intrusion from zones of less favorable
water or surface water contamination. A smaller bore hole is drilled inside the
casing to complete the well down to the total depth.
Cement surface seal -- A cement barrier poured between the outside of the
surface casing and the inside face of the borehole. Completely seals the well
from potential contamination washing down the annular space.
Make Your Water Well
the Best It Can Be
To help ensure that your water well supplies you with water of sufficient quantity
and quality, according to your particular needs, all water wells or fresh water
observation wells constructed in Oklahoma, either by OWRB-licensed drillers or
other individuals, must comply with minimum construction standards.
These standards, available from the OWRB, have been
developed by the agency in tandem with the state s water well
drillers. The OWRB also provides technical support and
information concerning water availability and quality throughout
Oklahoma as well as an updated list of reputable drillers
licensed to practice in the state. If you have specific questions
concerning your water well, ask your professional driller/pump
installer and/or contact the OWRB.
12
If your well is malfunctioning and no water is
available at any location:
S Check the electricity, then the electrical circuit
breaker or fuse box for a blown fuse or tripped
circuit breaker.
S Make sure that the water supply valve is in the open
position.
S Make sure any in-line filters or water treatment systems are
operating properly with no restrictions.
If you have difficulty resolving the problem, call an OWRB-licensed
pump installer.
Regardless of construction method, a properly constructed well will possess a well
casing consisting of new or sanitary used steel or new PVC. The casing and joints
will be water-tight and the surface seal will be of appropriate thickness around the
casing and extend from the land surface to a sufficient depth. Depending upon the
type of construction required, the gravel or filter pack and well screen or casing
perforations will be installed in a manner that achieves your desired water quality
and quantity.
During the final phase of construction, the licensed contractor will remove all drill
cuttings and mud from the well. If chlorinated water was not used during the drilling
phase, he will properly disinfect the well prior to leaving the site. The well will then
be capped or sealed, depending upon plans for future pump installation.
Considering Optional Well Construction Methods
Certain optional construction methods and materials, though not mandated by
minimum construction standards, may augment well yields, improve water quality
and provide added protection from potential contamination sources. However, these
measures may also increase final construction costs.
Increase the diameter of the well casing. This may not only prevent the pump
from being locked in the hole should a piece of gravel or another item infiltrate
the casing and wedge the pump in its place, it can also increase the total
volume of reserve water in the well.
In open hole construction with surface casing, extend the casing and grouting
to the top of the production aquifer. The well will receive greater protection
from potential collapse of the formation below the surface casing or
contamination from zones of lower quality water.
Increase the length and thickness of the cement surface seal. This will help
ensure a complete annular seal which, in turn, reduces the chances that
13
lesser quality water or surface contamination will penetrate the seal.
Use a uniform-sized gravel or filter pack. This will maximize the quantity and
quality of water yielded by the well.
Use a factory-manufactured well screen. This can significantly increase the
production, quality and longevity of the well. A continuously slotted screen
provides the best yields.
Disinfecting Your Water Well
To ensure that the water yielded from your well is safe and free from pollution, you
should have your well tested for coliform bacteria and nitrates at least once a year
by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality or another qualified testing
firm. Also, keep a record of all water quality tests.
Significant rain events may raise groundwater levels to a height where they may
come in contact with surface contamination sources, including nearby septic
systems. If your well water gets cloudy or tastes different after a rain event, or if
there is a sudden change of quality, test your well as soon as possible. If your
water well is found to be contaminated, it should be disinfected immediately. In
addition, all new wells should be disinfected after completion or following repairs to
the well or pumping equipment.
Contact DEQ for specific instructions on how to disinfect your well. Follow these
general guidelines:
Use ordinary liquid laundry bleach, containing 5.25
percent chlorine. Do not use scented or non-chlorine
bleach.
For a six-inch diameter well, use 5 pints of bleach for
every 100 feet of standing water. This concentration will
effectively destroy water-borne disease organisms.
For larger diameter wells, use additional chlorine at a similar
concentration. Avoid extremely strong chlorine solutions because they can
reduce the life of rubber and neoprene components in water systems, such
as air bladders in pressure tanks and o-rings. As a general rule, it is wiser
and safer to use too much, rather than too little, chlorine.
To determine the effectiveness of the disinfection procedure, sample and have
the well analyzed again one to two weeks after it has been treated.
14
Be a Responsible
Well Owner
Open water wells, monitoring wells, water well test holes, geotechnical borings or
any open, sub-surface borings in close proximity to your supply well location
(including abandoned wells) can be a potential source of contamination. As a
result, it is imperative that well owners implement wise wellhead protection
practices, plug all abandoned wells on their property and be knowledgeable of
general well maintenance procedures.
Practicing Wellhead Protection
Wellhead protection involves various efforts or safeguards which ultimately prevent
contaminants from entering the area of land around your water supply well. All
water well owners should follow at least minimum wellhead protection guidelines
(below) to ensure that the quality of their supply remains safe for
consumption.
If your well lacks a cement pad, do not make a planter or
flower bed of the area around the casing and do not apply
any organic compounds to the casing area. Tillage of soil
around the casing increases soil permeability and the
velocity of percolation. Also, be aware of channeling in the
cement surface seal, an unsealed electrical connection or
faulty connections which can create conduits for
insecticides, herbicides or other harmful organic compounds
to reach groundwater. If your well is a pitless installation without a cement pad,
hand-pull or use mechanical means to control grass or weeds.
When possible, keep potential sources of contamination at least 50 feet down-
gradient from your water supply well location. Potential sources of
contamination include insecticide-treated building foundations; confined surface
water areas; septic systems; confined animal boarding areas; composting
areas; and concentrated pollutant storage areas. Also, never store hazardous
materials in your well house or near the well.
If you ve purchased a home that utilizes a well water, find out the age of the
well. Many older wells, especially those constructed before implementation of
more rigid construction standards, are cased to a relatively shallow depth and
are more susceptible to contamination and various other problems.
15
Plugging Abandoned Wells
If you abandon your water well, test hole, monitoring well or geotechnical boring,
you are required by state law to properly plug the well and ensure that it is
completely sealed to prevent potential contaminants from entering the hole and
infiltrating the underlying or surrounding groundwater formation. Normally, this
requirement involves filling the hole to a predetermined depth with cement and/or
bentonite grout or a combination of other approved materials. Ask your licensed
driller what requirements apply to your well.
In addition, if you have an abandoned well on your property, you must ensure that
it has been properly sealed to prevent pollution of your existing well or your
neighbors wells. Technical assistance to landowners is available from the OWRB.
16
of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River
of the Arkansas River
Enid Isolated Terrace
of the Cimarron River
of the Beaver-North Canadian River
of the Canadian River
Gerty Sand
of the Washita River
of the North Fork of the Red River
of the Red River
MAJOR ALLUVIAL AND TERRACE AQUIFERS
COMANCHE
CADDO
JACKSON
HARMON
TILLMAN
GREER
ROGER MILLS
BECKHAM
KIOWA
WASHITA
CIMARRON TEXAS
BEAVER
CUSTER
WOODWARD
DEWEY
ELLIS
HARPER WOODS
OKFUSKEE
PUSHMATAHA
McINTOSH
GRADY
JEFFERSON
COTTON
STEPHENS
LOVE
GARVIN
MURRAY
CARTER
McCLAIN
CLEVELAND
ATOKA
MARSHALL
JOHNSTON
PONTOTOC
BRYAN CHOCTAW
PITTSBURG
COAL
HUGHES
SEMINOLE
POTTAWATOMIE
LeFLORE
McCURTAIN
LATIMER
HASKELL
WAGONER
MAYES
CRAIG
LINCOLN
PAYNE
ALFALFA
GARFIELD
CANADIAN
KINGFISHER
BLAINE
MAJOR
OKLAHOMA
NOBLE
LOGAN
KAY
GRANT
CREEK
PAWNEE
OKMULGEE
TULSA
MUSKOGEE
OSAGE
ROGERS
WASHINGTON
NOWATA
SEQUOYAH
CHEROKEE
ADAIR
DELAWARE
OTTAWA
Map of Major Alluvial and Terrace Aquifers in Oklahoma
17
Ogallala Formation
Antlers Sandstone
Elk City Sandstone
Rush Springs Sandstone
Blaine Formation
Garber Sandstone-Wellington Formation
Oscar Formation
Ada-Vamoosa Formation
Arbuckle-Timbered Hills Group
Simpson-Arbuckle Group
Roubidoux Formation
Boone Formation
Cedar Hills Sandstone
Arkansas Noveculite
Noxie Sandstone
POTENTIAL MAJOR BEDROCK AQUIFERS
MAJOR BEDROCK AQUIFERS
COMANCHE
CADDO
JACKSON
HARMON
TILLMAN
GREER
ROGER MILLS
BECKHAM
KIOWA
WASHITA
CIMARRON TEXAS
BEAVER
CUSTER
WOODWARD
DEWEY
ELLIS
HARPER WOODS
OKFUSKEE
PUSHMATAHA
McINTOSH
GRADY
JEFFERSON
COTTON
STEPHENS
LOVE
GARVIN
MURRAY
CARTER
McCLAIN
CLEVELAND
ATOKA
MARSHALL
JOHNSTON
PONTOTOC
BRYAN CHOCTAW
PITTSBURG
COAL
HUGHES
SEMINOLE
POTTAWATOMIE
LeFLORE
McCURTAIN
LATIMER
HASKELL
WAGONER
MAYES
CRAIG
LINCOLN
PAYNE
ALFALFA
GARFIELD
CANADIAN
KINGFISHER
BLAINE
MAJOR
OKLAHOMA
NOBLE
LOGAN
KAY
GRANT
CREEK
PAWNEE
OKMULGEE
TULSA
MUSKOGEE
OSAGE
ROGERS
WASHINGTON
NOWATA
SEQUOYAH
CHEROKEE
ADAIR
DELAWARE
OTTAWA
Map of Major Bedrock Aquifers in Oklahoma
18
10 FEET MINIMUM
SATURATED ZONE
ZONE OF PERFORATION
NOMINAL DIAMETER OF THE CASING)
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE
SUBMERSIBLE PUMP
GRAVEL PACK
FROST ZONE
8 INCH MIN.
BOREHOLE DIAMETER (THREE
INCHES GREATER THAN THE
WELL CASING
WATER SUPPLY LINE
CEMENT OR CONCRETE
SURFACE SEAL
PITLESS ADAPTOR
GROUND SURFACE
SURFACE CASING
PITLESS ADAPTOR CAP
Typical Residential Water Supply Well*
*Shown is the pitless adaptor type of construction; above-ground
construction (primarily used for irrigation and related well purposes) is not
equipped with the pitless adaptor and the cement/concrete surface seal is
completed up to the ground surface.
19
For more information, contact the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Call us
Oklahoma City (Main Office) -- (405) 530-8800
Tulsa Branch Office -- (918) 581-2924
Lawton Branch Office -- (580) 248-7762
McAlester Branch Office -- (918) 426-5435
Woodward Branch Office -- (580) 256-1014
write us
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
3800 N. Classen Boulevard
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
or
visit us on the web at
www.state.ok.us/~owrb

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What You Should Know About
Water Well Construction
MY
WATER
WELL
Publication No. 143
July 1999
Planning and Management Division
OKLAHOMA WATER RESOURCES BOARD
Lonnie L. Farmer, Chairman
Richard C. Sevenoaks, Vice Chairman
Grady Grandstaff, Secretary
Richard McDonald
Bill Secrest
Dick Seybolt
Ervin Mitchell
Wendell Thomasson
Harry Currie
Duane A. Smith, Executive Director
Michael R. Melton, Assistant to the Director
Mike Mathis, Chief, Planning and Management Division
Terri G. Sparks, Planning Section Head
Gary Glover, D/PC Program Administrator
Brian Vance, Writer/Editor
James Leewright, Graphic Arts
Table of Contents
Why the Oklahoma Water Resources Board s Water Well Driller
& Pump Contractor Licensing Program Is Important to You ..............................5
Program Overview ........................................................................................5
What You Should Know About Constructing Your Water Well ..........................7
Before You Construct ...................................................................................7
Preliminary Planning and Investigation ....................................................7
Establishing the Well Site .......................................................................8
Selecting a Qualified, Licensed Water Well Driller ...................................8
Information to Provide the Licensed Driller ...............................................8
Information to Request from the Licensed Contractor ..............................9
At Construction Time ................................................................................. 10
Selecting the Construction Type............................................................ 10
Make Your Water Well the Best it Can Be ..................................................... 11
Considering Optional Well Construction Methods ...................................... 12
Disinfecting Your Water Well ..................................................................... 13
Be a Responsible Well Owner ....................................................................... 14
Practicing Wellhead Protection .................................................................. 14
Plugging Abandoned Wells ........................................................................ 15
Map of Major Alluvial and Terrace Aquifers in Oklahoma ................................. 16
Map of Major Bedrock Aquifers in Oklahoma .................................................. 17
Typical Residential Water Supply Well ........................................................... 18
For More Information ...................................................................................... 19
5
Why
Program Overview
Currently, some 15 million homes in the United States utilize private wells. To
ensure the integrity of water well construction, prevent potential pollution of
state groundwaters and ensure safety, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
supervises a licensing program of pump installers and drillers of water,
geothermal, observation and monitoring wells. The Water Well Driller/Pump
Contractor Licensing Program has certified approximately 1,100 drillers
and pump contractors and/or operators.
The geology and groundwaters of Oklahoma are so varied
that a single set of federal, state or local regulations is
inadequate to protect state waters and ensure safety. To
address this problem, the OWRB spearheaded creation of a
committee consisting of licensed water well drillers and
pump installers to formulate fair and comprehensive well
construction guidelines. Through direct public input, the D/PC Well Drillers
Committee has developed a set of minimum standards that encompass all
types of competent well construction and water well pump installation, including
a variance procedure to address specialized problems. Standards for domestic
drilling were ratified as state law in 1982, for pump installation in 1990.
Because our groundwaters are so valuable...
Oklahoma is underlain by 23 major groundwater basins containing an estimated
320 million acre-feet of water in storage, perhaps half of which is recoverable for
beneficial use. Many of the minor basins may also yield significant amounts of
fresh water. Water wells and springs supply more than 60 percent of the total
water use, including almost 90 percent of the state s irrigation needs, and
provide municipal water to more than 300 Oklahoma cities and towns.
Unfortunately, groundwater supplies are often at risk due to poorly constructed
and/or abandoned wells which often provide a conduit for poor-quality water or
contaminants to reach subsurface formations and groundwater supplies. The
Board s well driller/pump contractor licensing effort is a coordinated strategy by
the state to protect our vital groundwater resources. OWRB hydrologists and
Why the Water Well Driller and
Pump Contractor Licensing
Program Is Important to You
does Oklahoma need water well licensing
requirements and construction
6
does the state cope with the substantial
expense of remediating inadequate or
abandoned wells?
How
is responsible for plugging and ensuring
the safety of abandoned water wells?
Who
are other benefits
of the program? What
geologists routinely conduct site inspections to investigate and, if necessary,
coordinate restoration of poorly constructed wells or plug abandoned wells.
and to ensure the safety of our citizens...
Old water wells, regardless of their size or location, pose a tremendous
threat to Oklahomans. Often overgrown by weeds and brush, these open
holes can pose extremely dangerous hazards to both animals and humans,
especially children.
Through the Well Drillers/Pump Installers
Indemnity Fund...
To help correct occasional problems related to improper or
inadequate well construction and pump installation, the
Oklahoma State Legislature created the Well Drillers/Pump
Installers Indemnity Fund in 1990. The Fund, supplemented
by administrative fines assessed to program violators,
provides a mechanism for the OWRB to ensure the remediation of potentially
dangerous and environmentally hazardous well sites constructed since 1990.
The landowner...
Once drilling equipment is removed from the drilling site, the responsibility for
properly plugging an abandoned well, monitoring well or geotechnical boring lies
with the owner of the land on which the well is located.
Information sharing...
To support the program, the Board maintains a
database of more than 35,000 water well logs, or
completion reports, submitted by licensed commercial
drillers and pluggers of groundwater wells and test
holes, monitoring wells, observation wells and heat
exchange wells. Upon request, OWRB staff can query
the water well log database and provide a list of wells in
7
If the well is to be used for any purpose
other than domestic use as defined by OWRB
rule, the landowner must file a groundwater use
permit with the OWRB before the contractor can
complete any work (other than test drilling).
a particular area, including information on completion date, depth and
details concerning geology of the area.
Completion reports are often requested by landowners who want to know
more about subsurface geologic conditions on their property or particular
details about their water well construction. This information is also of
interest to geologists and various researchers.
and education...
As part of the program s education component, the OWRB
conducts periodic workshops to provide updates on new
program rules, technological advancements and related
issues of interest to the state s well drillers and pump
installers. Agency staff also routinely visit licensed drilling
firms to answer questions related to the program and explain
new or existing rules and regulations.
What You Should Know About
Constructing Your Water Well
Before You Construct...
Preliminary Planning and Investigation
To estimate the approximate depth and yield of the well,
call the OWRB to obtain information on existing wells in
your area. Supply the Board with the legal description
(section, township and range, legal descriptions) of the
property you are researching.
Obtain a copy of OWRB regulations for minimum well construction
standards.
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Ask adjacent property owners or others about the specifics of their well, total
depth, approximate yield and water quality. Also, inquire about known water
contamination problems.
Establishing the Well Site
Select a prospective well site at least 50 feet up-gradient, 75 feet on level
ground or 100 feet down-gradient from proposed or existing pollution sources,
including:
S insecticide treated building foundations;
S confined surface water areas;
S septic systems (yours or your neighbors);
S confined animal boarding areas;
S composting areas; and
S concentrated pollutant storage areas.
Avoid flood-prone areas.
Locate the well at least 50 feet from the property
line. If the well is too close to the property line, it
could interfere with septic system installation or
home termite treatment.
Keep underground and overhead utilities in mind. Allow
ample room for drilling rig operation.
Stake the best appropriate location.
Selecting a Qualified, Licensed Water Well Driller
Select several OWRB Licensed Drilling/Pump Contractors. Call each
preliminary contractor with your well specifications and construction details.
Compare construction prices and time frames.
Call the OWRB and Better Business Bureau for information on past
complaints or problems with the selected firm(s).
Information to Provide the Licensed Contractor
Supply the licensed contractor you select with all
information collected from the OWRB and/or neighbors
regarding the proposed well and its exact location (i.e.,
legal description).
Give the contractor a list of any optional specifications
you select.
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Supply the contractor with all details concerning access to the drilling site.
Factors to consider include:
S Can a rig physically get on your property?
S Is the property on a steep grade?
S Are there deep creeks or ravines on your property that limit access by
the drilling rig to the proposed well site?
S Is there heavy timber on the property that will require cutting before rig
access can be attained?
S Must fences or gates be removed or cut to allow rig access?
S Have there been any recent, major weather conditions that would limit
access to the site, such as heavy rain events on clay or soft soils?
If you would like for the licensed contractor to select the well location, give
him the locations of all pollution sources, drainage patterns and utilities
(overhead as well as underground). Some contractors will not select potential
well sites for you, but will give you several options.
Give the contractor a list of damages that you would expect his firm to be
responsible for and information on preliminary work required to get the rig on
location.
Information to Request from the Licensed Contractor
Is the contractor licensed and in good standing with the OWRB?
Has the contractor drilled wells in the area before? How many? Has the
contractor encountered any special problems in the area? What are
the nature and expense of any special problems
related to drilling the well?
What are the specifications of the standard well
construction the contractor uses in the area?
What is the per foot price of the contractor s standard
well construction, including all materials and labor?
What guarantees does the contractor s firm make for standard well
construction in the designated area?
If the optional well construction materials and methods specifications you
select exceed the contractor s standard well construction specifications,
what is the price per foot, including all materials and labor?
Ask the contractor if he can construct a well to the specifications you have
listed. Has he constructed a well to those specifications before? Are there
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any special guarantees his firm will make on that type of construction?
What is the time frame for initiation of the well drilling project? How long will
the project take?
Ask the contractor for special instructions regarding care of the well after
drilling is completed and the well is disinfected.
Request a copy of the multipurpose completion report, which documents all
details of well construction, with the receipt for work performed.
Does the driller have a dry hole charge in case groundwater is not
encountered in the intended location? How much is it?
Who will plug the hole? Who will pay? The OWRB requires all water well test
holes to be plugged according to minimum standards within 3 days.
At Construction Time...
Selecting the Construction Type
Oklahoma s unique and varied geologic conditions are best suited for two general
types of water well construction. The OWRB-licensed water well driller that
you choose will provide assistance in selecting the
appropriate construction method and ensure that your well
is constructed in a manner that ensures maximum
efficiency and a long life-span. They will also take all
necessary steps to prevent potential contamination of the
well and its source groundwater basin.
The most common method, utilizing gravel or filter packs that
provide a medium through which water moves from the formation
into the well casing, can be used in any type of aquifer but is usually drilled into
unconsolidated formations. The well casing keeps the hole open. The second type
of construction, an open hole with surface casing, is generally used in
consolidated aquifers where the hole can stay open without the need for well
casing. The two general methods of construction and their associated
components are discussed in more detail below.
Gravel or filter pack, with well screen or well perforations:
Well casing -- Keeps the hole open in unconsolidated formations, helps seal
off zones of less favorable water and prevents surface water intrusion. In
consolidated formations, the casing also prevents formation material from
sloughing off and locking the submersible pump in the well bore.
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Cement surface seal -- A cement barrier poured between the outside of the
casing and the inside face of the borehole. Prevents potential contamination
from washing down the annular space (the area between the inside of the
bore hole and the outside of the well casing or surface pipe).
Gravel or filter pack -- A small gravel or coarse sand placed between the well
screen or perforated casing and the inside of the borehole. Filters out the
geologic formation materials and prevents them from entering the screen or
perforated casing.
Well screen or perforated casing -- A piece of factory-slotted or hand-
perforated casing that prevents the filter pack or formation from collapsing
into the borehole while allowing water to enter the well.
Open hole construction with surface casing:
Surface casing -- Casing that is cement grouted in through loose,
unconsolidated surface soils and anchored into the top of the consolidated
aquifer. Prevents the collapse of loose soils at the top of the well and assists
the cement surface seal in preventing intrusion from zones of less favorable
water or surface water contamination. A smaller bore hole is drilled inside the
casing to complete the well down to the total depth.
Cement surface seal -- A cement barrier poured between the outside of the
surface casing and the inside face of the borehole. Completely seals the well
from potential contamination washing down the annular space.
Make Your Water Well
the Best It Can Be
To help ensure that your water well supplies you with water of sufficient quantity
and quality, according to your particular needs, all water wells or fresh water
observation wells constructed in Oklahoma, either by OWRB-licensed drillers or
other individuals, must comply with minimum construction standards.
These standards, available from the OWRB, have been
developed by the agency in tandem with the state s water well
drillers. The OWRB also provides technical support and
information concerning water availability and quality throughout
Oklahoma as well as an updated list of reputable drillers
licensed to practice in the state. If you have specific questions
concerning your water well, ask your professional driller/pump
installer and/or contact the OWRB.
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If your well is malfunctioning and no water is
available at any location:
S Check the electricity, then the electrical circuit
breaker or fuse box for a blown fuse or tripped
circuit breaker.
S Make sure that the water supply valve is in the open
position.
S Make sure any in-line filters or water treatment systems are
operating properly with no restrictions.
If you have difficulty resolving the problem, call an OWRB-licensed
pump installer.
Regardless of construction method, a properly constructed well will possess a well
casing consisting of new or sanitary used steel or new PVC. The casing and joints
will be water-tight and the surface seal will be of appropriate thickness around the
casing and extend from the land surface to a sufficient depth. Depending upon the
type of construction required, the gravel or filter pack and well screen or casing
perforations will be installed in a manner that achieves your desired water quality
and quantity.
During the final phase of construction, the licensed contractor will remove all drill
cuttings and mud from the well. If chlorinated water was not used during the drilling
phase, he will properly disinfect the well prior to leaving the site. The well will then
be capped or sealed, depending upon plans for future pump installation.
Considering Optional Well Construction Methods
Certain optional construction methods and materials, though not mandated by
minimum construction standards, may augment well yields, improve water quality
and provide added protection from potential contamination sources. However, these
measures may also increase final construction costs.
Increase the diameter of the well casing. This may not only prevent the pump
from being locked in the hole should a piece of gravel or another item infiltrate
the casing and wedge the pump in its place, it can also increase the total
volume of reserve water in the well.
In open hole construction with surface casing, extend the casing and grouting
to the top of the production aquifer. The well will receive greater protection
from potential collapse of the formation below the surface casing or
contamination from zones of lower quality water.
Increase the length and thickness of the cement surface seal. This will help
ensure a complete annular seal which, in turn, reduces the chances that
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lesser quality water or surface contamination will penetrate the seal.
Use a uniform-sized gravel or filter pack. This will maximize the quantity and
quality of water yielded by the well.
Use a factory-manufactured well screen. This can significantly increase the
production, quality and longevity of the well. A continuously slotted screen
provides the best yields.
Disinfecting Your Water Well
To ensure that the water yielded from your well is safe and free from pollution, you
should have your well tested for coliform bacteria and nitrates at least once a year
by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality or another qualified testing
firm. Also, keep a record of all water quality tests.
Significant rain events may raise groundwater levels to a height where they may
come in contact with surface contamination sources, including nearby septic
systems. If your well water gets cloudy or tastes different after a rain event, or if
there is a sudden change of quality, test your well as soon as possible. If your
water well is found to be contaminated, it should be disinfected immediately. In
addition, all new wells should be disinfected after completion or following repairs to
the well or pumping equipment.
Contact DEQ for specific instructions on how to disinfect your well. Follow these
general guidelines:
Use ordinary liquid laundry bleach, containing 5.25
percent chlorine. Do not use scented or non-chlorine
bleach.
For a six-inch diameter well, use 5 pints of bleach for
every 100 feet of standing water. This concentration will
effectively destroy water-borne disease organisms.
For larger diameter wells, use additional chlorine at a similar
concentration. Avoid extremely strong chlorine solutions because they can
reduce the life of rubber and neoprene components in water systems, such
as air bladders in pressure tanks and o-rings. As a general rule, it is wiser
and safer to use too much, rather than too little, chlorine.
To determine the effectiveness of the disinfection procedure, sample and have
the well analyzed again one to two weeks after it has been treated.
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Be a Responsible
Well Owner
Open water wells, monitoring wells, water well test holes, geotechnical borings or
any open, sub-surface borings in close proximity to your supply well location
(including abandoned wells) can be a potential source of contamination. As a
result, it is imperative that well owners implement wise wellhead protection
practices, plug all abandoned wells on their property and be knowledgeable of
general well maintenance procedures.
Practicing Wellhead Protection
Wellhead protection involves various efforts or safeguards which ultimately prevent
contaminants from entering the area of land around your water supply well. All
water well owners should follow at least minimum wellhead protection guidelines
(below) to ensure that the quality of their supply remains safe for
consumption.
If your well lacks a cement pad, do not make a planter or
flower bed of the area around the casing and do not apply
any organic compounds to the casing area. Tillage of soil
around the casing increases soil permeability and the
velocity of percolation. Also, be aware of channeling in the
cement surface seal, an unsealed electrical connection or
faulty connections which can create conduits for
insecticides, herbicides or other harmful organic compounds
to reach groundwater. If your well is a pitless installation without a cement pad,
hand-pull or use mechanical means to control grass or weeds.
When possible, keep potential sources of contamination at least 50 feet down-
gradient from your water supply well location. Potential sources of
contamination include insecticide-treated building foundations; confined surface
water areas; septic systems; confined animal boarding areas; composting
areas; and concentrated pollutant storage areas. Also, never store hazardous
materials in your well house or near the well.
If you ve purchased a home that utilizes a well water, find out the age of the
well. Many older wells, especially those constructed before implementation of
more rigid construction standards, are cased to a relatively shallow depth and
are more susceptible to contamination and various other problems.
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Plugging Abandoned Wells
If you abandon your water well, test hole, monitoring well or geotechnical boring,
you are required by state law to properly plug the well and ensure that it is
completely sealed to prevent potential contaminants from entering the hole and
infiltrating the underlying or surrounding groundwater formation. Normally, this
requirement involves filling the hole to a predetermined depth with cement and/or
bentonite grout or a combination of other approved materials. Ask your licensed
driller what requirements apply to your well.
In addition, if you have an abandoned well on your property, you must ensure that
it has been properly sealed to prevent pollution of your existing well or your
neighbors wells. Technical assistance to landowners is available from the OWRB.
16
of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River
of the Arkansas River
Enid Isolated Terrace
of the Cimarron River
of the Beaver-North Canadian River
of the Canadian River
Gerty Sand
of the Washita River
of the North Fork of the Red River
of the Red River
MAJOR ALLUVIAL AND TERRACE AQUIFERS
COMANCHE
CADDO
JACKSON
HARMON
TILLMAN
GREER
ROGER MILLS
BECKHAM
KIOWA
WASHITA
CIMARRON TEXAS
BEAVER
CUSTER
WOODWARD
DEWEY
ELLIS
HARPER WOODS
OKFUSKEE
PUSHMATAHA
McINTOSH
GRADY
JEFFERSON
COTTON
STEPHENS
LOVE
GARVIN
MURRAY
CARTER
McCLAIN
CLEVELAND
ATOKA
MARSHALL
JOHNSTON
PONTOTOC
BRYAN CHOCTAW
PITTSBURG
COAL
HUGHES
SEMINOLE
POTTAWATOMIE
LeFLORE
McCURTAIN
LATIMER
HASKELL
WAGONER
MAYES
CRAIG
LINCOLN
PAYNE
ALFALFA
GARFIELD
CANADIAN
KINGFISHER
BLAINE
MAJOR
OKLAHOMA
NOBLE
LOGAN
KAY
GRANT
CREEK
PAWNEE
OKMULGEE
TULSA
MUSKOGEE
OSAGE
ROGERS
WASHINGTON
NOWATA
SEQUOYAH
CHEROKEE
ADAIR
DELAWARE
OTTAWA
Map of Major Alluvial and Terrace Aquifers in Oklahoma
17
Ogallala Formation
Antlers Sandstone
Elk City Sandstone
Rush Springs Sandstone
Blaine Formation
Garber Sandstone-Wellington Formation
Oscar Formation
Ada-Vamoosa Formation
Arbuckle-Timbered Hills Group
Simpson-Arbuckle Group
Roubidoux Formation
Boone Formation
Cedar Hills Sandstone
Arkansas Noveculite
Noxie Sandstone
POTENTIAL MAJOR BEDROCK AQUIFERS
MAJOR BEDROCK AQUIFERS
COMANCHE
CADDO
JACKSON
HARMON
TILLMAN
GREER
ROGER MILLS
BECKHAM
KIOWA
WASHITA
CIMARRON TEXAS
BEAVER
CUSTER
WOODWARD
DEWEY
ELLIS
HARPER WOODS
OKFUSKEE
PUSHMATAHA
McINTOSH
GRADY
JEFFERSON
COTTON
STEPHENS
LOVE
GARVIN
MURRAY
CARTER
McCLAIN
CLEVELAND
ATOKA
MARSHALL
JOHNSTON
PONTOTOC
BRYAN CHOCTAW
PITTSBURG
COAL
HUGHES
SEMINOLE
POTTAWATOMIE
LeFLORE
McCURTAIN
LATIMER
HASKELL
WAGONER
MAYES
CRAIG
LINCOLN
PAYNE
ALFALFA
GARFIELD
CANADIAN
KINGFISHER
BLAINE
MAJOR
OKLAHOMA
NOBLE
LOGAN
KAY
GRANT
CREEK
PAWNEE
OKMULGEE
TULSA
MUSKOGEE
OSAGE
ROGERS
WASHINGTON
NOWATA
SEQUOYAH
CHEROKEE
ADAIR
DELAWARE
OTTAWA
Map of Major Bedrock Aquifers in Oklahoma
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10 FEET MINIMUM
SATURATED ZONE
ZONE OF PERFORATION
NOMINAL DIAMETER OF THE CASING)
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE
SUBMERSIBLE PUMP
GRAVEL PACK
FROST ZONE
8 INCH MIN.
BOREHOLE DIAMETER (THREE
INCHES GREATER THAN THE
WELL CASING
WATER SUPPLY LINE
CEMENT OR CONCRETE
SURFACE SEAL
PITLESS ADAPTOR
GROUND SURFACE
SURFACE CASING
PITLESS ADAPTOR CAP
Typical Residential Water Supply Well*
*Shown is the pitless adaptor type of construction; above-ground
construction (primarily used for irrigation and related well purposes) is not
equipped with the pitless adaptor and the cement/concrete surface seal is
completed up to the ground surface.
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For more information, contact the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Call us
Oklahoma City (Main Office) -- (405) 530-8800
Tulsa Branch Office -- (918) 581-2924
Lawton Branch Office -- (580) 248-7762
McAlester Branch Office -- (918) 426-5435
Woodward Branch Office -- (580) 256-1014
write us
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
3800 N. Classen Boulevard
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
or
visit us on the web at
www.state.ok.us/~owrb